Xia Dong paused suddenly, her gaze somewhat strange as she looked at the person before her.
Being looked at like that, Ji Yuan immediately felt a bit unnatural and couldn't help but ask in confusion, "What's wrong?"
The young girl shook her head, then frowned, and after a long silence, finally spoke.
"Lately, an outer disciple named Lin Miaoyi often comes to Xuanyuan Peak several times a month."
She said, her eyes holding a hint of scrutiny.
In just a few short months, that outer disciple had formed quite a few friendships with the people on the peak. Even Xu Qiqi and Jiang He, who occasionally visited, had a good impression of her.
"I didn't expect her to have returned to the Jiuxuan Sect."
Ji Yuan was stunned upon hearing this, and Lin Miaoyi's figure appeared in his mind.
He had a certain admiration for this woman. With her social skills alone, she could thrive in the outer sect, obtaining the resources she needed without having to compete with anyone.
Despite being merely an outer disciple, she was on good terms with many inner disciples, shrewdly building a considerable network.
"By the way, how are my master, my senior brother, and Yue Bai?"
He shook his head and then looked at Xia Dong beside him.
Upon hearing this, she immediately narrowed her eyes and smiled, "They're all doing wonderfully. Little Yue Bai is almost becoming a little fatty!"
On Xuanyuan Peak, with good food and drink, Zhao Yue Bai had gained over ten catties. His face had gradually become rounder, making him look even cuter than before.
Especially in the last two to three months, Xia Dong had often pinched his little face, causing Zhao Yue Bai's expression to droop as soon as he saw her.
Everyone was well, and their cultivation had also progressed significantly. In particular, Ji Yuan's fifth senior brother, Guo Tao, found the Dragon Elephant Art to be as if tailor-made for him.
In just over half a year, he had reached the peak of the first realm and could break through to the second realm at any time.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan couldn't help but sigh. His fifth senior brother's talent in cultivating the Dragon Elephant Art was truly that of a genius, with such rapid progress.
It was a pity that the spiritual spring he was about to build would be of no use to martial artists. Otherwise, no matter what, he would have reserved a spot for him.
As they spoke, they walked into the Taoist temple. One had to admit that Mingxinxuan had put in effort. The entire Taoist temple was solemn yet not rigid, exuding an air of elegance.
Rounding the front hall to the back, as soon as they stepped into a courtyard, Ji Yuan saw Liao Qiming and others practicing moves with fifth senior brother Guo Tao.
After watching for a while, he realized that their martial arts had all improved significantly, far beyond what he could achieve by just burying his head in study.
He figured they must have had a master guiding them frequently during this period.
"Mingxinxuan sent two martial artists in the middle stage of the Muscle and Bone realm. Besides guarding Xuanyuan Peak, they also guide their martial arts cultivation."
Xia Dong said from the side.
These two martial artists were likely meditating in their respective rooms to cultivate their true qi. In reality, they didn't have much to do when things were calm.
Ji Yuan nodded. While they were talking, Guo Tao and Liao Qiming and the others also spotted the young man with surprise.
A group of people quickly surrounded them. Liao Qiming and the others were still a bit reserved, but fifth senior brother Guo Tao was different. He immediately fussed over his junior brother, worrying if he had suffered any hardships outside.
"You've gotten thinner."
After a round of inquiries, Guo Tao said in a deep voice.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan instinctively paused, then couldn't help but give a wry smile. "Senior Brother! I've grown taller!"
The young man was in a rapid growth spurt. In over half a year, he had grown more than half a head taller than before.
As he grew taller, his physique naturally stretched, making him appear much thinner.
"It's good that you've grown taller. You're almost an adult."
Guo Tao said with a simple, pleased smile.
He was always like this, never having any ambitions of his own, only wanting to see his junior brothers grow into adulthood safely.
It was just that the other junior brothers had already left, unwilling to travel so far with them to Feiyun County.
"Master!"
As they were talking, Zhao Yue Bai's surprised voice suddenly rang out.
Ji Yuan turned his head and saw a somewhat round, little fatty running over.
It had to be said that Zhao Yue Bai had indeed gained a lot of weight. The food on Xuanyuan Peak was even better than at the Zhao family's, causing him to gain over ten catties.
However, although he had gotten fatter, he was still a nimble little fatty thanks to his cultivation.
Ji Yuan thought to himself...
"Peak of the first realm!"
The next moment, sensing the aura emanating from Zhao Yue Bai, his heart couldn't help but be shocked.
Even though his talent was good, and he had the life force of the old locust tree accumulated over hundreds of years, along with pure spiritual energy comparable to the second realm, to reach the late stage of the Enlightenment realm within half a year was truly terrifying.
Ji Yuan could even feel that a pure sword energy had been nurtured within his disciple.
"Master is so amazing, of course, his disciple can't be bad!"
Zhao Yue Bai chuckled, but quickly couldn't smile anymore.
Because his master was pinching his cheeks with his hands, that familiar feeling made him somewhat dazed.
Upon seeing Xia Dong walking over with a smile, he immediately understood. His master must have said something to her!
"The texture is indeed good."
Ji Yuan patted Yue Bai's face with satisfaction, then said to everyone, "We'll catch up later. I'll go see Master first."
His greatest concern was his aging master.
After parting ways with everyone, he walked to a corner of the Taoist temple. This was the residence Zhang Zhi Ya had chosen himself, and it had been built by the craftsmen of Mingxinxuan to be very quiet and elegant.
As soon as he entered, Ji Yuan saw the old man by the lake holding a book and reading. Although he wore a Taoist robe, compared to his identity as an old Taoist, he looked more like a Confucian scholar.
When the old man read, he exuded an aura similar to that of Tang Muhuan.
"Master, I'm back."
Ji Yuan sat down beside the old man and casually took some hot water to brew a pot of hot tea.
Hearing this, Zhang Zhi Ya did not respond immediately. After finishing reading a passage, he closed the book in his hand, calmly picked up his teacup, and took a sip.
"Why are you suddenly reading the essays of Confucian saints?"
Ji Yuan glanced at the book on the table, asking curiously.
In his impression, the old man before him had never read Confucian books; he always held Taoist classics in his hands daily.
"I was originally a Confucian scholar, and I even held official titles. What's wrong with me reading these books?"
Zhang Zhi Ya glared at his disciple irritably, then leaned back in his chair and said with a sigh, "Alas, I'm old and useless. My disciple leaves home for more than half a year and isn't afraid that I'll be gone when he returns."